Thursday, August 6, 2020

Earthly Versus Heavenly Treasures

“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches—none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough, that he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.” [1]

You can’t take it with you. Eternity without God is heavy price to pay to keep them if you are trusting that God will save you based on your bank account and assets.

The Psalmist continues:

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me. Selah.” [2]

He has received blessed assurance from God that his soul is eternally secure. With this assurance he let’s go of anxieties about worldly wealth and urge others to do the same:

“Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies, he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him. Though while he lived, he blessed his soul—and men praise you when you do well for yourself—he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light. A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.” [3]

True wealth is to have the gift faith - Faith in the One True God who created all things:

“By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.” [4]

Faith is the connection between us and our Creator:

“Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” [5]

Abraham, others, and Moses also fixed their hopes on a better city than this world had to offer:

“Abraham looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” [6]

“Those who say such things make it clear that… they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” [7]

Moses considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. [8]

[1] Psalm 49:6-9
[2] Psalm 49:15
[3] Psalm 49:16-20
[4] Hebrews 11:3
[5] Hebrews 11:6
[6] Hebrews 11:10
[7] Hebrews 11:14, 16
[8] Hebrews 11:26

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